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What Are WiFi Networks?

Clearing Up Confusion About This Popular Wireless Connection
by Richard Thomason - March 8th, 2009

WiFi, or Wi-Fi, stands for Wireless Fidelity, and it is one of the current industry standards for wireless connectivity. The other big one is Bluetooth, which uses a different frequency than WiFi networks. Wi-Fi operates on the IEEE 802.11 frequency, and it essentially is what enables your home network, laptops, cellular phone, or other electronic devices to wirelessly connect to the Internet or a local network.

Using WiFi for wireless connectivity provides mobile devices with a much faster connection than most forms of wired Internet. WiFi currently ranges from 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps in terms of download speeds, and this can be faster if you have the right hardware. WiFi has been around for some time, since 1997, and the speeds of this service have been improving ever since. A new enhancement is in the works (802.11n) which may push the theoretical limits of WiFi Wireless Internet to 160 Mbps or more!

 

The Need For Hotspots

You can only connect to a Wi-Fi network if you are in range of a hotspot. WiFi hotspots are created by setting up a wireless router, and the range for connection is typically around 200 feet or so. This is why you can get connected to WiFi in certain locations, such as in your hotel, airports, coffee shops, malls, etc., and even your home if you have set up a wireless network there. If you wander too far from the central point of the hotspot, which is the router, you will lose the connection.

And that's why they are called hotspots -- the connection is only available in the small circular area about 200 feet away in all directions from a wireless router. If you set up enough wireless routers throughout a large area (such as in the case of airports or malls), you can effectively blanket that area with your wireless hotspots. This let's you stroll up and down the entire airport or mall with unbroken access to their WiFi network.

Improvements are being made to WiFi technology that should enable the range of the hotspots to reach a little further -- up to 300 to 500 feet is possible.

 

Devices That Can Use Wi-Fi

Just about any personal computer can use WiFi, and nearly all modern laptops are going to have a WiFi network card in them by default. The complete list would be:

  • Desktop & Laptop Computers
  • Modern Gaming Consoles (Wii)
  • Printers, Scanners & Other Peripherals
  • Internet-Enabled Cell Phones (iPhone, etc.)

WiFi is also used on lots of business equipment, for security, tracking inventory, supply chain management, and the like.

Each device must have a wireless network card or adapter installed on it, but that's not a big problem. Most devices will already have it, and if not, buying a wireless adapter is a small cost and they are available at any electronics store.

 

How Fast Is A Wi-Fi Connection?

The speed of a WiFi network is going to depend upon two limiting factors -- your hardware and the Internet connection your WiFi network is connected to. Remember that 802.11 number mentioned earlier? Well, that is broken down into four protocols: a, b, g and n. The theoretical (and average real speeds) of each are:

  • 802.11a - The earliest protocol, very widely used, possible speeds up to 54 Mbps, but 20 Mbps maximum is the norm.
  • 802.11b - Another early protocol, also widely used, max up to 11 Mbps, but it seems 5 to 6 Mbps is the most you will see.
  • 802.11g - Theoretical maximum is up to 54 Mbps, but 20 Mbps is what you can expect to get with a 802.11g Wi-Fi network.
  • 802.11n - Forecasted to reach up to 160 Mbps or even faster, but 802.11n is still in development and not expected earlier than December 2009.

You'll need to check the documentation of your cell phone, laptop, etc., to find out exactly which protocol your hardware uses. That will determine the maximum speed you can get on a WiFi network. For example, when 802.11n finally arrives, you'll need to upgrade the adapters on all your devices to 802.11n to benefit from the higher speeds.

The other factor is what Internet connection your WiFi network is using. If your wireless router is connected to a low-cost Internet connection of only 1 Mbps, then that is as fast as your WiFi network will download, as well. So, if you want the most from your home network in every room of your home or small office, make sure you have a DSL, cable or fiber optic connection with at least 5 Mbps download speeds or higher.

WiFi is a very common form of high speed wireless Internet access, but it is not without it's share of competition. Bluetooth and WiMax (see What is Wimax?) are two other forms of very fast wireless protocols that are also being pushed as the standard for wireless connectivity by major companies. Also, EVDO Internet is the current standard Internet access used on cell phones by Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. For now, WiFi hotspot networks are very popular and you'll find WiFi just about everywhere you go.

 
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